Place to place decades passed by Whistles and horns of train Set time for the world Carried goods by the tons People commuted to earn bread Happy travellers saw world Millions and Billions Miles it went Chukku! Bukku!! Chukku! Bukku!!

Child on back, elders crawling, to imitate train Entertained kith and kin Oh! Now a rare sight Sighting train happy children Jumping on toes, counting bogies Bye! Bye!! On platforms was for some Parting life forever, now a bygone story Chukku! Bukku!! Chukku! Bukku!!

Diesel engines arrive at stations, go in subways Electric trains, Bullet Trains replace show Less sound, more fast, pace of life super fast Hurry and worry take the toll Cheerful journeys down memory lane Like all obsolete now in museum Poor Chukku! Bukku!! Great Chukku! Bukku!!Chukku! Bukku!! Chukku! Bukku!! Chukku! Bukku!!…

Chukku Bukku is the nick name of the steam engine train usually addressed to children whenever referred to trains in India.

Hi All! This is the story of a steam engine train that served human kind for decades. The joy it had brought during the millions and millions of miles it travelled, transported goods and took passengers for happy rides. I have seen live drivers putting coal into the fire, preparing the train to move for miles. How grateful we have to be for it. Whenever it went cross country people used to set their time and that was the sign for their routine. I do not know how many times I have counted the bogies and made others to count. Hahaha!!

The journeys where slow though, but would make it very enjoyable. We would get to know co-passengers, talk to them, shared thoughts and eatables also. In a journey of a few hours they would turn to be great friends, help each other and be like a family. Sometimes the friendship would continue for some even after the journey. I think such experiences are with so many readers of this post. They could explain their own anecdotes.

Surprisingly and strange today’s journeys are very individualistic. Passengers and commuters are busy with their own self, I mean especially busy on their phones either talking, texting, playing game, reading or even blogging. They seem to be not aware that living persons are around them. At the most some may give a smile.

It is always an opportunity to mingle with people share thoughts and ideas and even exchange cultures. I see many of my friends here in WP are a sort of that essence and nature. Super fast life has cut down journeys which could be happier and worth the travel.

Having kept these golden pieces of travel icons in MUSEUM is one great act of gratitude and remembrance. My Salutations!!!

85 thoughts on “Chukku! Bukku!! Chukku! Bukku!!”

Wonderful thoughts!!! So true. I have always loved train journeys. Sharing food, playing ludo, antakshri with fellow passengers. I still prefer train journeys and travel in trains when children are not accompanying.

Oh! Reena I think dinning cars have been reduced to almost nil. Maybe they are available on only long distance and tourist trains. Even I feel they have to be reintroduced, instead of eating the junk at stations.
Thanks for your visit and remembering your anecdotes.
Regards

The title is lovely and while reading it I was personally making those sounds!! True people have lost the gesture of enjoying the surroundings and lovely company by deep involvement in gadgets!!
Beautiful thoughts put forward !!

times are very different now.We are strangers now in the train, in the bus. in the street.We have cell phones, and it seems it is enough.We make selfies, where we are alone in the picture.We publish them on social medias, but not with our loved ones. We got better trains but we lost humanity !

What a Beautiful comment you have made Ben! It is so true that we have become strangers all over.

“We got better trains but we lost humanity !”

Wonderful statement. It is rather inspiring me once again to write something which is in my head since long – a topic something on these lines. I think I shall write about it one of these days.
Thanks so much Dear Friend!
Regards
Shiva

Very enjoyable reading a thoughtful post. Thanks for reminding us all of the distracting lifestyle, senselessly adopted by many, who prefer to watch smartphones than to mingle with other people. I guess you meant the same happens on WP with those running from post to post to ‘like’ and never interacting with anyone. I concur with your thoughts.
Thanks.

Thanks Madam! I should say it is most time with us to come forward and open a discussion with others.
Your observation here at WP is very much like that and I agree. Most do that, just put likes without even reading and run away. That seems ridiculous. Maybe they would not want any further discussion. Thanks for the concur.
Regards
Shiva

Shiva, please feel free to call me Lucile. I’d feel too important as Madam. 😉
I highly value commenting and replying to all that take time to visit my blog. I know though, that this takes a lot of time, and can understand when I just get likes. Once I posted about that and loyal followers told me that sometimes they have no time or have nothing to say, and a like just means that they thought of me and appreciated what I posted. So there is always two versions for any story.
Best wishes,
Lucile

Lucile, that’s nice and I like to address by the names always, it feels close and good. But I have observed some would not want them to be called by their names. So as you say two versions…..Hahaha
Time has been the most important factor to all. I personally feel when visiting a blog, I only read if it is interesting, put my like and comment wherever it is important. You know it is just not possible to read all.
Only making it a justification of ones’ blog posts.
I am really happy about my readers who sincerely read and comment whenever they have time and when they feel to comment about the post. I appreciate your observation and the sincere thoughts.
Regards,
Shiva

When my little cousin was a toddler he loved Thomas the Tank Engine. I think kids as well as many adults are fascinated by trains. My brother Stephen and I visited the Transit Museum a few years ago which is housed in a subway station. They had subway trains dating back to around 1900 when the subways were first constructed.

The Transit Museum’s annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal has been a beloved family event for years.

Visitors marvel together at eight model trains — including classic subway cars — as they zip through a miniature New York City on the way to the North Pole. (The Polar Express)

Due to the fact that my museum’s busy season falls right around Christmas my brother Stephen and I have yet to see this marvelous train display. If I can get time off from my job this year we will go.

Thanks DeBorah I was happy that I could make you remember some instances related to train rides. Your cousin and brother are lovers and are fascinated by trains. Regarding the Museum kept of trains in NYC and that too in a Subway station is news for me. You being a museum person are excited to visit them as well. I hope you shall get the chance to go there any time in the near future with Bro Stephen.
Your video made me go around and see those lovely pieces.
I hope you liked the lines. Do they sound like some nursery rhymes, as one of my ardent reader said so. I have now created a menu for that titling it as “Fun Poems / Nursery Rhymes”. Does that sound good, please do tell me Sis, DeBorah!
Regards

Oooh I could not see the icons on my Desk Top so went to my Smart Phone and saw them…they do mean a lot. Hahaha
Thanks
Right now I am on your blog browsing posts. I have put my likes but shall comment on them afterwards, as it is time for me to go bed, you it 11.45 pm here in India

Thank you Shiva for taking us back on this nostalgic train journey. I enjoyed the ride. As kids we would always look forward to it. And I remember the fight we siblings had to occupy the window seat.😁😁

Oh Shiva, this is fantastic. Yes I have ridden on a Chukku! Bukku! a few times. You have really captured the life and essence of trains gone past. You are right about how today it’s so individualized, everyone busy on their phones and computers. In some ways technology has done a disservice to communication, rather than enhancing it. Love thd pics too!
Choo Choo hugs,
Deb
xo

Thanks Deb, I think in the US steam engine trains have been out of sight since long time, here in India we had them running till recently. I have had some very close relationship with them as I used to cross an unguarded level crossing while going to school and back and more over the station was just few metres away.
Choo Chooo Hugs
Shiva

Yes you are right Shiva, steam trains have been long gone, but we still have locomotive trains that carry freight and passengers. Wow you do have a close relationship with them, no wonder they are extra special to you!
Choo Choo Hugs,
Deb

Shiva, what a brilliant post, thank you so much for sharing. As a child in Germany I lived right next to the railways, back than coal engines, I used to wave at the conductors getting back a hunk and waving hands. At our house there used to be the stop for the train to reload the engine with coals, this was really fascinating for me to watch and to listen to the chatter of all workers, especially at night all that commotions would wake me up. I have taken the train in many different countries of the world. The most impressive I remember in Sri Lanka like 30 some years ago, sitting across this family brining out their food they shared with laughter and happiness. Their little daughter with the most beautiful eyes, communicating with her with hands and eyes, shared with me that she never had a doll in her life. Exchanging addresses with her parents , as I got back home, I got a sweet doll and mailed it off to her. So riding a train can bring happiness.

Cornelia, I had very much expected that you would come and read this post and so also comment, as I was sure you would be having your own experiences with Chukku Bukku, since you are an extensive traveller. You have been travelling more so in the Far East and especially India. In India till very recently steam engine trains were running on rails, now that they have been totally out of sight.
I was sure you would be having your own anecdotes connected. You may be having many such experiences while travelling, as is evident in your posts. I feel you please tell us more of such experiences here or in your blog posts. I know it is already being shown in many of yours.
I am happy you were impressed by the post. I too have my own experiences of your kind. I used to cross daily an unguarded level crossing going to school and back. So had all the sights that were connected to the running of these trains as the station was few metres away. That was a great sight, once or twice had a ride in the engine with the driver for a short distance. Gone are the days and those sightings.
Riding trains certainly brings happiness provided we give the chance.
Regards

Thank you Shiva for your kind response. Of course I had to contribute to your post. In the recent years when I had to go back to Germany for family happenings, I would always take the train to an Alpine village to see my 104 old aunt than. Last trip I took so many winter mood images out of the windows of the train. I had posted those many months ago. Riding a train offers a totally different view of going towards our destinations, like seeing deers grazing in a meadow, people hanging their laundry on the rope or farmers getting in their crop before sunset and so on. Have a great week my friend, hope your family is doing okay.

Another brilliant post. I love taking train rides you meet so many interesting people along the way, I met a lady from Romania on a train ride to Edinburgh. While living in the America I lived two blocks away from the train tracks and could set my watch by the time they through passed by, the whistle would blow as they came at the junction. Though I’ve never been on one, I would love to ride a steam train.

Thanks Etta, for another encouraging comment.
Yes train rides could be made interesting only if can make it. Sometimes it is risky too to talk to strangers, but we can always test them through the talks.
I think you can still have rides in tourist places where they you for a short ride and show you the places around. Wish you shall get one to ride shortly….
Regards

There is something so special about rail journeys, that does slow down time…the old steam ones must have been amazing! I’ve often been to the National Railways Museum, in York and it is wonderful to see these grand engines out on display, some carriages you can enter…real character and substance. The journeys of old were a major event and I think the excitement became a shared experience for the travellers…now it is so ingrained in our lives and unfortunately, there are so many digital devices calling for our attention!

Such a beautiful comment Annika, I appreciate the way you put it.
Yes those old journeys were full of life and so indifferent than now.
At least the museums make us remember the past times. To be frank I have till now not visited any such museum. Let me see if I can make it any time.
Thanks for your esteemed visit and comment.
Regards 💞🌷
Shiva

Fantastic post, dear Shiva.
I so agree with you on the communication part. We seem to miss so much opportunities to connect. Over here there is a commercial right now at TV; the elevator doesn’t move, unless people in it talk with each other. Silence, the elevator stops again. If I remember correctly, it’s a commercial from a bubble-gum-producer. But I love it. Just as your message behind this post.
XxX

Oooh Patty I had a big 😃 smile when I read that the elevator stops as soon as there is silence. This is really fantastic and a mover…
Your comments and your visits to my blog are also So…. You make me elevated without the elevator.😀
Thanks so much dear…
XxxX

This is just Beautiful!
What can memories do and their capacities… Awesome diction.
Usually in many a blog posts I would also do it by continuing or writing some poetic lines on the post.
In mine, many have not attempted… I am so happy you have done it.
Opened the petals of memory of many a humans to blossom..
Thanks
👍👌👏💞🌷
Shiva

Hello Shiva. How are you? It’s been long. And I have news for you. I have published my first ebook of poetry on Amazon Kindle. I’m a published author now. I’m so happy sharing that to you. I always wanted to share this news to you once I have published it. 🙂 It’s like sharing this news to my elder brother.

This Chukku bukku, we call it as Chikku bukku in Malayalam and Tamil. That’s nostalgia. Wonderful article. I was away from WordPress for sometime now. I have a backlog of your articles that I have to read. I’ll read and comment on that slowly…

Hello Anoop I am fine, its long time you have come to my Blog. I am very happy to know of your being a published author. I did go to the link and found the book “Hearts & Poems” for Rs 100/-, I shall order it very soon. I am overwhelmed by your feeling about the news you wanted to share with me as if like an elder brother.

But Anoop you were away for a long time now from WP. Oh sure you can read my posts anytime you wish.
Thanks💞🌷
Shiva

I purchased a domain peopleandhearts.com , I thought I had renewed the plan and the renewed the domain. But to my ignorance, I had only renewed the WordPress plan but didn’t renew the domain. After 2 months I saw my website was down and only the free WordPress version was available. So I had to buy a new domain called peopleandhearts.blog . My old domain peopleandhearts.com got deleted . I cannot reclaim it. So it some time thinking what to do next.

I have a free WordPress blog peopleandhearts.wordpress.com (which is unlimited and doesn’t need a renewal). Since I had mapped my free WordPress blog to the purchased domain – peopleandhearts.blog , I have to review it every year.

Yes the name of owning a website. Rather than under WordPress. You can do your business, sell and advertise your products. Place ads and earn through ads and so many things to do. Lot of additional benefits come with a custom own domain

Every year one has to review the domain. Or else the domain will be lost either to a public domain …u can claim it when it is in public domain. But when it moves out of the public domain, you cannot claim it that easily. WordPress free blogs are unlimited

Breathtaking post, Shiva and I so agree with you that today these trains are only seen in museums and they were so beautiful and all were cosy and friendly in them today as you rightly put no one is bothered in these big trains all are individuals doing their own stuff. Loved the awesome poem. Choock, Choock went the train.

Beautiful tribute to a disappeared train. In our country it used to be like this too. Now everyone is looking at their smartphones, so is our individualistic society, as the second picture of your post shows. It is a global phenomenon in today’s world. I agree with you: everything goes too fast and, therefore, there is no pause for reflection, real thinking. Just consummerism and constant update, living in permanent anticipation of future as current philosophers say. I love the onomatopoeic words in your poem as they follow the sounds of the train. In the first stanza the three “Bell rings!” capture the same tempo of the train stops. In the second stanza the “shhhhh sounds” reproduce exactly what happens when the train is running. This is nice too: “Millions and Billions Miles it went”. The double rhyme adds rhythm to the poem followed by the repetitive onomatopoeia closing each stanza. The increasing onomatopoeic repetitions of the last stanza reinforce the value of that train. I like this poem very much.

A wonderful comment on the train that we all are Grateful about Marta.
Your description of my lines, stanza by stanza is appreciable. Only a person with a broad heart can write so of someone else’s creation, although you being a writer; it is commendable.
I have observed only those interested in reading & writing give a keen ear and have the capacity to analyse. It is not ordinary stuff to do a stepwise analysis.
Yes the repetitions give a song structure and especially children could be made to sing it… they may enjoy it too and would get the opportunity to know of the bygone life style of the immediate past generations.
Marta while thanking you once again I also feel to express that I also like this poem very much. Hahaha
Sing Song
🎶🎼🔔

You have good reasons to like this poem. It is one of the most beautiful I have read of yours. And yes, it could be adapted as a song for everyone, not just for children. In fact, your poem slightly reminds me of a Catalan song about a train that no longer exists either.

Marta you boost my endeavours. Saying for everyone seems to be Marvellous.
Actually my cousin has got some connections in Spain to whom he has sent some of my poems to compose music. We have not yet got reply from him.
If you do have any connections you can send to them.
I do not have any “C”, I mean copy rights to my Blog. Since beginning it is so.
A Catalan song reminds you of a train that no longer exists. This is amazing.
Thanks
🔔🎼🎶🌹💃

I think this is one of my favorite poems of yours. The more I read it the more I enjoy it. I have not been able to find any musician for you. I guess it would be easier for you to find somebody from your area, also because you have different music instruments.

Ohh Marta that’s really great of you to read this particular poem repeatedly. It gives such pleasure and you are those blessed to enjoy.
It is true that we have so many different Musical instruments. But the sorry part of it is, the young have now adopted slowly to modern electronic instruments. It is not easy to learn them, it does require patience and practice.
Anyway I shall keep looking for someone who could compose.
Since our discussion has come to Music, I love that you should read my post MUSIC. Here is the link.